Global stability of swept flow around a parabolic body: Features of the global spectrum

Christoph J. MacK, Peter J. Schmid

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

The global temporal stability of three-dimensional compressible flow about a yawed parabolic body of infinite span is investigated using an iterative eigenvalue technique in combination with direct numerical simulations. The computed global spectrum provides a comprehensive picture of the temporal perturbation dynamics of the flow, and a wide and rich variety of modes has been uncovered for the investigated parameter choices: stable and unstable boundary-layer modes, different types of stable and unstable acoustic modes, and stable wavepacket modes have been found. A parameter study varying the spanwise perturbation wavenumber and the sweep Reynolds number reproduced a preferred spanwise length scale and a critical Reynolds number for a boundary-layer or acoustic instability. Convex leading-edge curvature has been found to have a strongly stabilizing effect on boundary-layer modes but only a weakly stabilizing effect on acoustic modes. Furthermore, for certain parameter choices, the acoustic modes have been found to dominate the boundary-layer modes. © 2011 Cambridge University Press.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)375-396
Number of pages22
JournalJournal of Fluid Mechanics
Volume669
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 25 2011
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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